Table of Contents
Booking
You may infer that Bora Bora is pricey without having gone there or even knowing where it is on a map. The Conrad was a clear choice even though we had our sights set on The St. Regis Bora Bora initially because of the superior points value.
Although it was a bit more difficult to locate award availability, we were able to get three nights for 80,000 Hilton Honors points each. We eventually discovered the fourth night on points as well. By that time, the award rate had grown to 89,000 points per night, which was still a terrific value when compared to the typical paid prices for an entry-level hotel, which ranged from $700 to $1,000 per night. In addition, while using Hilton, there are no resort fees.
Traditional rooms were only shown as available when paying with points on the Hilton app, not the standard website, when we made our reservation. It was a suggestion that worked for us, but I have no clue whether it is typical or a one-time exception. Consider premium awards instead of the few regular garden-view Lagoon Suites, which are currently priced at 89k Hilton points per night, if you are having problems locating normal award rooms.
You could even be able to use points to pay for pool villas or overwater villas depending on your travel dates, but you’ll need to spend a lot of points. If you want to stay near the water, it could be a better idea to use points for a base-level accommodation and then pay a cash copay for an overwater villa. Our requirements were better served with children in a space that was conveniently situated on dry ground. We did get some upgrade offers, with upgrades for land villas starting at approximately $50 more and upgrades for entry-level overwater villas starting at roughly $400 more. Keep in mind that those rates are per-night estimates, and your dates’ costs might be different.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card welcome bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a free night reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership is one of the many ways you can accrue Hilton points to pay for some nights at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui.
Location
To go to Bora Bora, which is located in French Polynesia, you must first fly to Papeete International Airport (PPT), which is also located in French Polynesia. There are a few methods to go to Tahiti using points and miles, but the options are sparse if you are flying from the United States. You should stay your first night in Tahiti at the InterContinental Tahiti close to the airport before going on to Bora Bora, like we did.
You’ll probably need to reserve an Air Tahiti island-hopping trip in order to go to Bora Bora. Traditional airline miles cannot be redeemed for this flight, but fixed-value points may be used to pay for it. Even though the journey only lasts for around 45 minutes, these flights aren’t as inexpensive as you may expect.
These flights from Papeete to Bora Bora should cost between $400 and $500 round-trip (BOB). If you want to make your reservations via Chase, you may possibly use roughly 27,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
No matter how you arrange your travel, there is still something to do once you get to Bora Bora. You have to take a boat from the airport to your hotel since it is located on a little island. Take the free Air Tahiti boat to Vaitape on Bora Bora and then take a ride from there to your resort to save money. However, the likelihood is that you’ll use the hotel’s boat service to get there from Bora Bora Airport.
For the Conrad Bora Bora, the cost of the 20-minute boat ride was 139,000 French Polynesian francs ($130) for each adult and free for children. We just went to the Conrad sign at the airport to catch the boat, and they assisted in getting our bags from the aircraft to the boat.
Room
Even though we were in a “regular” room, it wasn’t really simply a room since all of the accommodations at the Conrad Bora Bora are really suites or villas. Our suite included a living room with a sofa bed, a rollaway bed, and a TV wall, albeit there was no door or complete partition between the living and sleeping areas.
Although there was a TV on both the bedroom and living side of the wall, we weren’t thrilled with the selection of channels. (And sure, even in paradise, you spend time in the room with kids.)
For us, it was ideal since the room was rated for two people and two kids.
Although there were many outlets, we still had to bring converters, same as in Europe, since this was French Polynesia.
Large, separate vanities, a deep tub, a walk-in shower, and a separate room for the toilet were all included in the enormous bathroom.
Towels, water temperature, and pressure were all wonderful. We were able to use the Mandarin Tea toiletries in both the tub and the shower since they were luckily not affixed to the wall in the bathroom.
We had plenty of space for us and our belongings in the bathroom, even with four of us traveling with tons of wet swimsuits and other items each day.
Keep the sliding door to the bathroom closed if you wish to appropriately chill the living and sleeping areas of the suite since we saw that the bathroom windows seemed to be partially open all the time.
We had plenty of space for us and our belongings in the bathroom, even with four of us traveling with tons of wet swimsuits and other items each day.
Keep the sliding door to the bathroom closed if you wish to appropriately chill the living and sleeping areas of the suite since we saw that the bathroom windows seemed to be partially open all the time.
The Four Seasons
The Four Seasons by Conrad Borabora Nui is a resort with a secluded location in the French Polynesian islands. It is a luxury hotel with 122 suites and villas. The resort has a pool, a spa, and a private beach. Its six restaurants include a Chinese restaurant, French restaurant, and Polynesian beach grill.
With an idyllic location on a lagoon, this resort offers a relaxing escape for couples, families, and groups. The resort’s deluxe bungalows offer views of the lagoon and have a large living room. The bathrooms feature an oversized free-standing tub and separate shower.
The resort opened in 2017 after undergoing a complete renovation. It was the first five-star resort to open on the island in over a decade. Its spa is renowned for its top-notch treatments. Overwater bungalows are 1,249 square feet and offer private pools.
The Four Seasons by Conrad Borabora Nui offers luxurious accommodations, including overwater bungalows and Presidential Suites. Located on a private island, the resort is surrounded by turquoise waters. It features teak furniture and overwater bungalows. It also offers personal watercraft tours of the island.
The Four Seasons by Conrad Bora Borea Nui also offers a fitness center. You can exercise or relax by the pool or enjoy a massage at the spa. The hotel’s restaurant serves delicious fare. The resort also offers a bar and BBQ facilities.
Pension Alice et Raphael
Pension Alice et Raphael is situated on a private motu on the northern end of the island, near the airport. It offers stunning views of Mount Otemanu and the famed crystalline lagoon. The property is close to the airport and offers many amenities and 5-star accommodation.
While most of the guests at this pension are couples, families are also welcome. Although the property is rustic, the staff is more than friendly. They cook and clean the rooms. They also arrange activities for guests. The property includes a communal dining area where guests can share meals and socialize. The pension also provides dinner for an extra charge.
The Pension Alice et Raphael offers comfortable guestrooms, some of which feature a private patio. The accommodation provides towels and toiletries and offers linen services. Guests can enjoy water sports at the nearby beach. The pension also offers a shared lounge.
Pension Alice et Raphael offers a central location near the city center. Guests can also take advantage of laundry services at this property. The Eglise Saint-Pierre-Celestin Church is a 15-minute drive from the property. Guests can choose from rooms starting at $258 per night. Extra beds can be added to the room for an extra fee of $4500.
